How to Tune a Ukulele – Easy Book for Kids

You’ve got this! Tuning your ukulele sounds tricky, but it’s actually super simple once you know what to do. You’ll be ready to play happy, sweet music in just a few minutes.

What You Need

• Your ukulele (of course!)
• A free tuning app – try GuitarTuna or Tunable
• Or ask an adult to help you open one on a phone or tablet

The 4 Strings and Their Names

Your ukulele has 4 strings. When you hold it in playing position, the strings go like this (from top to bottom):

• String 1 (top near your chin): A
• String 2: E
• String 3: C
• String 4 (bottom near your belly): G

Fun way to remember: “Good Cats Eat Apples” – G-C-E-A (bottom to top)

In order: Let’s Tune!

1. Open the Tuner App

• Tap to open the app
• Pick “Ukulele” mode if it asks
• The app will listen when you pluck a string

2. Tune Each String

Start with the string closest to your belly (String 4 – G) and rise one by one:

For Each String:

1. Pluck the string with your thumb
2. Check what letter shows up on the app
3. If it’s the right letter and the needle is in the middle/green – perfect!
4. If not, turn the tuning peg slowly to adjust

String-by-String Targets:

• String 4 (bottom): G
• String 3: C
• String 2: E
• String 1 (top): A

Which Way Do I Turn?

• Need a higher sound? Turn the peg AWAY from you
• Need a lower sound? Turn the peg TOWARD you
• Go slowly – fast turning can break a string

Helpful Maxims

• Tune every time before you play – it only takes a minute
• New strings go out of tune fast – that’s totally normal
• If something sounds really off, double-check the letter you’re aiming for
• If you’re stuck, ask for help – everyone starts somewhere!

You’re Ready!

Once all the strings show the right letter and the app says it’s in tune – you’re good to go! It’ll get faster and smoother each time you do it. Pretty soon, tuning will be just a quick step before you start playing your favorite songs.

Now go make some music 🎵